Britain accuses Spain of new naval incursions in Gibraltar

LONDON

LONDON Nov 15 Britain condemned what it called
"provocative incursions" into waters around the British
territory of Gibraltar by Spanish navy and customs ships, and
summoned Spain's ambassador on Thursday to express its concern
over the issue.

The spat is part of a long-running dispute over Gibraltar, a
peninsula in southern Spain ceded to the British in 1713.

Britain's Minister for Europe David Lidington noted two
"serious incursions" into Gibraltar's waters on Tuesday.

"The UK has repeatedly made diplomatic protests to Spain
over attempts by Spanish state authorities to exercise
jurisdiction in British Gibraltar Territorial Waters," Lidington
said in a statement.

"I condemn these provocative incursions and urge the Spanish
government to ensure that they are not repeated," he said.